Improvement in post-hole diggers



M.SHUTT. Post-Hole Digger.

No., 200,352. Patented Feb. 12,1878.v

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UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIoE.

MICHAEL SHUTT, OF KISKIMINETAS TOWNSHIP, ARMSTRONG COUNTY, ASSIGNOR OFONE-HALF HIS RIGHT TO MARTIN P. KIRKLAND, OF

APOLLO, PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN POST-HOLE DIGGERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent N0. 200,352, (latedFebruary 12, 1878; application filed November 19,1877. v

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, MICHAEL SHUTT, of Kiskiminetas township, in thecounty of Armstrongv and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certainnew and useful Improvements in Post-Hole Diggers; and I do herebydeclare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description ofthe same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form apart of this specification, and in which- Figure 1 is an elevation of myinvention; Fig. 2, a detail view; Fig. 3, a plan, and Fig. 4 a plan viewofadjustable plates.

This invention relates to the' construction of post-hole angers; andconsists in the construction and combination of parts,'substan tially ashereinafter fully described andv claimed.

A designates a stock or shank, having at its top an eye, a, for thereception of a handle, and its lower end being tapered to a point, b,the stock being threaded for a short distance above the taper. Anut, c,is first screwed on; next the auger-plate, (to be described,) andfinally the nut d. The operating portion may be made to cut a singlesize of hole, or adjustable for various sizes. I will describe these inturn. The auger for single size consists of a plate, B, having asomewhat elliptical outline. At opposite points it is slit or cutinwardly in curved lines sweeping toward the center, then away from it,and passing it, the slit thus taking the form of an ogee.. vThese cutsleave two opposite lips, c c, whose inner edges are bent down to forminclined aprons j' f, whose lower edges are ground sharp. The lips areinclined like a screw-thread, so as to have a pitch suitable forentering the earth and drawing or feeding. The outer edges of the lips,from their points backward, are swaged to form the depending advancecutters g g.

The operation is as follows: The point b is driven into the earth tillthe points of the lips e touch the ground. Then, the handle beingrotated under pressure, the lips c enter the earth, cutting their way ontwo edges-the cutter g and the knifeedge of the apron f. The latteroperates by a shear-cut, which is more effective and causes less strainthan that of a radial cutting-edge. The loosened earth now glides up theaprons f in a diagonal easy ascent, onto the lloor or 'level of plate B.Thus, by means of the curved cuts in plate B, the points of lips cywhich are the weakest have the least work to do, and they are'strengthened for that by the swaged cutters g, giving them increasedlongitudinal stiii'ness. The inclination of aprons f serves also thesame purpose, while both they and the cutters perform their ownindividual functionsbesides. The posthole is thus with little effortbored out, the auger being lifted out from time to time to relieve it ofexcessive weight.

To make the auger adjustable for various sizes of holes, I construct theiloor in two overlapping halves, B' Bf', (see Fig. 4,) each having theogee slit and lip, constructed 1n all respects as above described, buthaving a radial slot at the center in each half, so that by tighteningor loosening the nuts c d, the plates can be arranged tolsuitthepsize ofhole to be cut.

The plate, single or double, as well as the whole device, can be easilymade by any ordinary'iblacksmith, and it isgthoroughlyeffective and easyof operation.

I claim- The post-hole auger consisting of pointed and threaded stock A,elliptical plate B, having two downwardly-inclined lips, e c,witl1 theirinner marginal edges of ogee curves, and bent downgto form aprons f' f,and at their outer margins swaged cutters g g, said curves at theirinner -ends diverging from the center of the plate, substantially asdescribed.

In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand this 5th dayof November,1877.

MICHAEL SHUTT.

Witnesses:

JOHN M. OsBoRNE, J oHN ROGERS.

